Tech giant Xiaomi already reset the game when it introduced the Taycan-like SU7 in 2024. But it’s not resting on its laurels.
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The Xiaomi SU7 just received its first facelift. It was introduced to the Chinese market in 2024.
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The update includes a stronger structure, better efficiency and range, a quieter interior, and pull-up style door handles.
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Xiaomi plans to export cars to markets outside of China starting in 2027.
The term “China Speed” is a big buzzword when it comes to the automotive industry. In short, China’s rise to EV domination came quickly, predicated on its hyper-competitive industry and ultra-fast development cycles. To stand out, Chinese car brands are constantly improving and changing their products; sometimes, cars will be on sale for less than a year before significant changes are made.
Xiaomi, the Chinese tech brand-turned car maker, is no stranger to this. Its Porsche Taycan-aping sedan put the world on notice, selling out in China and even impressing Ford CEO Jim Farley. Xiaomi isn’t a brand to stay content, though—the SU7 sedan was facelifted recently after only a couple of years on sale. Several of our favorite Chinese YouTubers got a chance to drive the updated version of the SU7 in Beijing before it goes on sale later this week.
In short, it’s even better than it used to be, with quality-of-life upgrades that make it feel significantly more refined.
As far as styling goes, the SU7 looks about the same as it always has, aside from some minor tweaks on the front and rear bumpers and some additional wheel and color choices. The biggest change is the new electronic door handles, which now have flip-up operation and can be used manually. This comes after the brand’s hidden door handles led to serious safety concerns, helping to spur regulator pushback.
Xiaomi SU7 Door handle
But the more important updates are on the inside. The center console has been refreshed and made more in line with the YU7 crossover. It also gets the same screw-in ports on the dashboard that its crossover sibling has, for use with Xiaomi-developed accessories. The interior also gets laminated glass, while some of the materials on the dashboard and upper door panel inserts are now soft touch.
In all, all four reviewers appreciated the more premium ambiance inside the SU7. Inside China Auto’s Mark Rainford praised the SU7’s quietness, although he did admit that some competitors on the Chinese market may be quieter.
Under the skin, the SU7’s updates are more substantial than at first glance. The underlying platform and mechanical structure have been updated for improved safety and driving dynamics. The single-pane glass roof is now bisected by a structural crossmember, which splits the glass in two. You can see the alterations in some of the quick body-in-white shots of the videos.
The rear tires are wider, and the car now has dual-chamber air suspension on its top two trims. Xiaomi’s self-developed “V6s Plus” electric motor replaces all the other variants, while turning up to 1,000 RPM quicker than before. Power jumps from 299 horsepower on the standard version to 320 hp, while the top-shelf now Max gets 690 hp, a 17-hp bump.
The 800-volt architecture is now standard on all trims (nearly 900 volts on the top-of-the-line Max model), enabling a range bump on all trims along with faster DC charging times. The max-range spec now goes 902 kilometers (560 miles) on China’s admittedly generous WLTC cycle, and can add 670 km (416 miles) of range in just 15 minutes.
There’s also an updated ADAS computer that has more power, while all models now have LiDAR as standard. Overall, it’s supposed to be a faster, better-handling, more comfortable, safer, and more efficient car, according to Xiaomi.
And, initial drive impressions imply that this is the truth. Eliott Richards of Everything Electric APAC praised the SU7’s revised pedal feel, calling the car more mature. “The modulation of the pedal is much more natural, the biting point feels more normal. It almost feels like an ICE car,” he said. Richards insists that sometimes EVs can feel “flat” behind the wheel, but the more progressive throttle control makes the SU7 feel like it has more personality. China Driven’s Will Sundin praised the car’s turn-in and handling ability, too.
Add in a revised software suite that is more closely related to the Xiaomi YU7 crossover, and the updated SU7 looks to do battle in China’s car market and beyond.
The SU7’s update may seem incremental on paper, but the general consensus is that the car itself is better in every way. If the old SU7 is as good as the new YU7 is, I can attest to the fact that it likely was already a strong contender. When Xiaomi eventually does start selling under official channels outside of China, it’s clear that the brand will be bringing its A game.
The updated SU7 just went on sale in China last week, but Xiaomi plans to start exporting cars to markets outside of Mainland China by 2027.
Contact the author: kevin.williams@insideevs.com
